About
Kniphofia pauciflora, the few-flowered red-hot poker, is a compact, clump-forming perennial to 45 cm with narrow, grass-like foliage. From late spring into summer it produces slender spikes of flared, tubular, yellow flowers opening from coral buds, sparsely arranged for an airy, elegant effect. A charming, compact red-hot poker for a sunny, well-drained border.
About the genus
Kniphofia, the red-hot pokers or torch lilies, may be evergreen or herbaceous perennials with linear or strap-shaped leaves and erect stems bearing a dense raceme of tubular, usually pendent flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, cream and green. Bold and ornamental plants for sunny, well-drained borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
Native toSouth Africa (KwaZulu-Natal)
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun and fertile, moist but well-drained soil that isn’t too wet over winter. See kniphofia cultivation for further advice
PruningCut down old flower stems after flowering; old or dead leaves can be tidied up or removed in mid-spring
PropagationPropagate by division of established clumps in late spring or by taking offshoots from the crown
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, thrips, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free